The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-03-09

and intellectual: he WAS SO everything
one would wish for in friend. that she
was afraid -he would love him herself,
there was surh Cd strange. sweet t,s'in5-
tion in that musical voice of his for her.
that Belle wa- yielding her heart to its
power And Toni. hp haunted her steps;
If she went into the garden he came pres
entity ou some protest: if She chose to
read her book n the plrlor Doe was there.
bw not obtru,iycly. III bold half the
iaSc nation for him that his splendid
voice does for me-, he can't help it, she
thought
But after all there va- something mys-
teriou- about handsome Tom Bumaby
often when she looked up from her book
She found him look ny at her in such an
earnest -orrowful WAY that instinctively
-le pite1 him. hut for what she could
a.t have told sometimes hiS ewes held
~uca curious questioning thai she felt
uncomfortable
school was ont at last, and she would
return home the next day: they were on
the Ion. piazza together, Belle and Tom,
watching the raindrop- beat on the roses
running over the lattice work.
81 have never shown you my box Of
specimens have -" he queried with a
great effort, in changing the subject alb
rup'ly for purpose.
No
Then ] viii bringthem," and he went
in Belle followed
' Let us 90 into the parlor; there is no
Que there To- interrupt and she followed
on into the room where they had spent
their last happy evening; she became in
tcnsely interested in the fine collection,
and the color came back TO his handsome
fice. Belle was looking in the box
down under a piece Of quartz something
Was cleaning brightly What Is this ~
she asked, making a dive, and securing
the shining object by the time she finish
Il her question.
oh an old sleeve button of mine"
answered Tom. hut Belle scarcely heard
him; cold sensation went over her.
Yours she .asped; where is the
other ane?"
/ have lost it," he said, busy TRYING TO
arrange some specimens. and not noticing
the look Of pain and horror creeping into
her face.
Oh ," she answered ina voice calm
enough. bat she felt as II she must bee dy-
u.. It all came q. her now. and she
knew why his musical voice impressed
her as familiar and sleeve button rough,
corrugated. as the other as the lost one
which was at that moment in her pocket;
Tom and the robber were one The
room wh.rled around and grew dark a
sharp pain was at her heart. and she
threw up her hands with an agonized
cry. oh Tom Bunabyi"
Ny God Miss Norton, what Is the
matter" exclaimed the terrified man.
Oh, Belle, are YOU ill-dear? he
whispered with his fine voice all a-trem-
bic, but she did not reply.
lie took the dazed girl into his arms
and kissed her white face. Oh. 10 be
thus ever near"
Don't" she said in a strange. sad way
Won have killed me. believe"
WHY Belle-MiSs Norton. would
not harm You for worldS-God knows !
loyeyau better than my life" the mu-
steal tones rang with passionate tender
ness, and he opened his arms, saying
Come, please?
Too late she moaned, too late. Tom
Burnahy here" snd she put the lost
sleeve button in his hand. a perplexed
pained look -we over his fine features.
anu he asked. in puzzled way
Where did YOU find it. Miss Norton -
~ In the coach that night, 20 she ans yer
ed. hoarsely, covering her face with icy
hands.
Tom Burnaby staggered to hi, feet.
d" Oh my God % he moaned in agony
ofsoul, il Is all over with me now; :" ht
reelel 10 corner and covered down lik,
a hunted animal
Belle went over 10 him presently, ant
laid her hand on his arm; he Was trem
bling violently
Tom she said, trying TO be calm
4 I'm never tell any one"
God bless You. knew YOU would
not; bat what Is Imprisonment and ever
death 10 losing you. Belle? that night.
work stands between nay happiness an,
heaven and YOUR, too, for you said
hal killed YOU. love"
Tie took her hand. and she felt hi
teaus on her palm, and his words Of az
: hour before necurrcd t6 her
My punishment j. terrible" he contin
! ned; you viii soon g away. ncverto re
turn-and how will you remember me
/ Belle
p With pitying love" she said mr
idol is shattered
In a moment more he was gone. Sh,
s heard him % up stairs with heavy nm
! certain step.
! Poor Tom" she said 10 herself: ~ho,
5 he suffers.
l. u was time to go; her trunk had beel
carried out and Belle stood biddinggood
: bye TO good OLD Mrs. Burnabv. I'm sol
: ~ You couldn't love Tom. said his moth
z er. breaking down.
: Oh, Mn. Burnaby. DO love him. an,
e Its killing me, too you don't know-n
D you viii never know !" and Belle He,
from the house in sheer desperation.
E At the gate boy gave her a packag,
= Tom Burnaby said | was to give vo
= this ere. said the urchin. and she tool
5 il mechanically
p Rattle clatter, jolt, and the lumberin
z stage was on the road. Goodbye. Bur
naby, sobbed the one desolate- passenger
i - ls.f.,fs